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The Primary Survey

The Primary Survey is a quick way for you to find out if
someone has any injuries or conditions which are life-threatening.
If you follow each step methodically, you can identify each
life-threatening condition and deal with it in order of
priority.

Use the letters DR. ABC to remember the steps:
Danger, Response,
Airway, Breathing and
Circulation.

You’ll need to go through the Primary Survey every time you help
someone, and make sure you don’t get distracted by anything else.
Only move onto the Secondary
Survey, if you’ve already done the Primary Survey and
succeeded in dealing with any life-threatening conditions.

Watch our video - Primary survey

Danger:

If someone needs help, before you go up to them check – is it
safe?

• No: If you can see or hear any danger
nearby, for you or them, like broken glass or oncoming traffic,
then make the situation safe before you get any closer

• Yes: If you can’t see or hear any danger
then it is safe to go up to them.

Response:

Do they respond when you ask them: ‘Are you alright?’ or if you
say: ‘Open your eyes!’

• No: If they don’t respond, pinch their
ear lobe or gently shake their shoulders, or with a child - tap
their shoulder, and with a baby - tap their foot. If they still
don’t respond, then you can presume they’re unresponsive and move
on to the next stage – Airway. Someone who’s
unresponsive should always take priority so you should treat them
first and as quickly as possible.

• Yes: If they respond by making eye
contact with you or some gesture then you know that
they’re responsive and you can move on to the next stage –
Airway.

Airway:

Is their airway open and clear?

No:

o Responsive: If
they’re responsive, treat them for conditions that may be blocking
their airway, such as choking. Only
move on to the next stage – Breathing – once their
airway is open and clear.

o Unresponsive: If
they’re unresponsive, tilt their head and lift their chin to open
their airway. Only move on to the next stage –
Breathing – once their airway is open and
clear.

• Yes: If their airway is open and clear,
move on to the next stage – Breathing.

Breathing:

Are they breathing normally? You need to look, listen and feel
to check they’re breathing.

• No:

o Responsive: If
they’re responsive, treat them for whatever is stopping them
breathing, for example, an obstructed airway. Then go to the next
stage – Circulation

o Unresponsive: If
they’re unresponsive and not breathing, call 999/112 for an
ambulance, or get someone else to call if possible, and start
giving chest compressions and rescue breaths CPR – cardiopulmonary resuscitation. If this
happens you probably won’t move on to the next stage as the
casualty needs resuscitation.

• Yes: If they are breathing normally,
move on to the next stage – circulation.

Circulation:

Are there any signs of severe bleeding?

• Yes: If they’re bleeding severely, control the bleeding with
your gloved fingers, dressing or clothing, call 999/112 for an
ambulance and treat them to reduce the risk of them going into
shock.

• No: If they aren’t bleeding, and you’re
sure you have dealt with any life-threatening conditions, then you
can move on to the Secondary Survey, to
check for any other injuries or illnesses.